Angel of Kirk, Talleyrand Deliver on Promise

This column highlights the performances of 2- and 3-year-old maidens (the latter category only through June) with the potential for graded stakes success based on criteria such as a horse who has made no more than five starts and either sold for more than $500,000 at public auction, has siblings that are graded/group winners, or has dams that are graded/group winners. BloodHorse research shows maiden winners who meet these criteria are more likely to go on to be graded stakes winners. Angel of Kirk and Talleyrand, two smartly bred juveniles, are BloodHorse Maiden Watch Hot Prospects after posting first-out victories last week. The faster of the two on debut, Greenwell Thoroughbreds' Angel of Kirk, ran to her $500,000 yearling sales price in taking the second race July 11 at Saratoga Race Course, dueling for the early lead in the 5 1/2-furlong race before asserting her superiority. She opened up 6 lengths in midstretch before cruising to a 4 3/4-length win at the finish under a hand ride from Flavien Prat. She slowed her pace late with a final sixteenth in :06.76, but her final time was a solid 1:05.35. That was just 0.15 of a second slower than the clocking of the 2-year-old male Midnight Still, who already had the benefit of experience and drew away by 6 1/4 lengths in the opener. The Brad Cox-trained Angel of Kirk ran an 82 Equibase Speed Figure and a 77 Beyer Speed Figure. Bred in Kentucky by BWB Bloodstock, Angel of Kirk has a sprinter's pedigree, being by 2021 Forego Stakes (G1) winner Yaupon out of the twice stakes-placed Majestic Warrior mare Crazy Sweet. An eight-time winner in 22 starts, Crazy Sweet earned placings in the Satin and Lace Stakes and in the Presque Isle Downs Masters Stakes (G2) during her 4-year-old season in 2018. Those stakes efforts were sprints on Presque Isle Downs' Tapeta surface. Angel of Kirk is her dam's second foal to race. Angel of Kirk was the highest-priced Yaupon yearling filly of 2025 when sold as part of the Warrendale Sales consignment at the 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale. Talleyrand Loaded With Pedigree Godolphin's royally bred Talleyrand justified his 6-5 favoritism in his career debut for trainer Brendan Walsh, overcoming a green effort to prevail by a head in a 5 1/2-furlong dirt maiden special weight race July 9 at Ellis Park. The 2-year-old colt appeared well on his way to a clear victory after tracking the early pace, taking the lead, and opening a half-length advantage in midstretch. But over the final furlong he lost concentration, allowing fellow first-time starter Town Man to mount a late challenge. Talleyrand just managed to outlast him. The victorious son of Into Mischief swapped leads and lugged in after striking the front, forcing jockey Ben Curtis to correct his mount to keep him straight and away from the determined runner-up. Talleyrand completed the distance in 1:05.44. His final sixteenth in :06.95 underscored his inexperience and wandering finish. He earned a 75 Equibase Speed Figure and a soft 49 Beyer Speed Figure. His pedigree suggests more potential than his speed figures. Besides being by North America's leading sire for each of the past seven years, he is out of grade 1 winner Pretty City Dancer, a daughter of Tapit. All five of her starters have become winners, including two graded stakes winners. One of those stakes winners is Talleyrand's full sister Pretty Mischievous, winner of the 2023 Kentucky Oaks (G1) and that season's champion 3-year-old filly. The other is his half sister Bella Ballerina, by Street Sense, who captured this year's Rachel Alexandra Stakes (G2) after winning the 2025 Golden Rod Stakes (G2) at Churchill Downs. Walsh, who conditioned both Pretty Mischievous and Bella Ballerina to those graded victories, also trains Talleyrand. Judging by his debut, the colt should benefit substantially from racing experience, and would seem a candidate to wear blinkers.